Tolonen’s research focuses on how natural resources affect labor markets, criminal behavior, health and social welfare, and, in particular, gender inequality. Tolonen also focuses on the economics of gender in the household and child health in developing countries.

Journalists confront informal and regulatory obstacles. In many cases, private companies and the government prevent media from accessing existing sources of free information. This may take the form of lengthy response times, publicly exposing information requests and managing the approval of how information is presented publicly.

NRGI offers global and regional courses (both in-person and online) that are tailored to civil society advocates, government officials, journalists, parliamentarians and other actors who are working to improve the management of oil, gas and minerals.

What’s next for Latin American civil society as the supercycle of high commodity prices recedes in the rear-view mirror? And what are the most interesting trends in the extractives sector in the region?

In most countries, national governments negotiate extraction contracts with companies and collect the revenues, but it is those closest to the extraction site that see their physical and economic landscape change most dramatically.

It is vital to distinguish between legal corruption (such as that exposed by the Panama Papers) and illegal corruption (such as that exposed by the Unaoil scandal) and recognize that this is a moment for governments to take decisive action against both. Both the U.S. and the U.K.—which hosts the May Anti-Corruption Summit—have an unprecedented opportunity to make a difference.